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Training Kids

By Jonathan Yarwood

At the Jonathan Yarwood Golf Academy we train lots of kids. Did you know, there are certain windows that kids can learn ‘form’ and certain windows that they cannot!? It depends on age, gender, growth spurts and relative maturity. You can have two eight year olds who are completely different mentally and physically from a developmental perspective. It is important that these two types are coached differently. At my academy, the focus is fun with the younger kids. Why is golf always number 10 on every kids list? Why do kids take it up and then drop it? Because of two things, 1. It is hard to learn to propel the ball, 2. the traditional way of learning golf is boring, outdated and does not work. We need to jazz it up a bit!

We spend time on different sports on the tee in my young kids golf schools. They have fun whilst still improving their golf. Most great athletes played many sports growing up, kids nowadays focus too early. So we may play a little tee ball to learn ‘Linear’ striking, soccer kicks to learn about the transition and energy transfer, hitting with a hockey stick to learn “in plane striking’, throwing a ball for ballistics etc. You get the picture. It is fun, interesting, stimulating and when we hit with golf clubs, they can actually do it! Last thing is to make sure the clubs are ultra light, with very small grips. I see so many kids with clubs that are too heavy and grips that are too thick. As a result they start off on the wrong foot and get poor habits early. Golf is a game for life and something that can bring lasting memories to all concerned along with great family moments. Enjoy it. Our schools run on a Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Sign up on 941 373 6769.

Jonathan Yarwood was originally from the United Kingdom, but relocated to the United States in 1996. After a few years as one of David Leadbetter’s senior teachers, Jonathan branched out on his own and has enjoyed an extensive career with a track record that speaks for itself: He has coached, 2 US Amateur Champions including this years champion Ben An, 2 US Girls Champions and 1 US Open Champion in Michael Campbell in 2005. That is 5 USGA champs in 10 years, which is a record in itself. Add to that the four number one juniors, 3 AJGA players of the year, a collegiate number one, a male and female nationally ranked number one as well as a winner on every major professional tour, you have a record to rival the best. Jonathan was voted a Top 20 teacher under 40 years old by Golf Digest in 2006, after 5 straight years of being in the best teacher in state rankings for Florida.

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